Method and apparatus for producing and maintaining a gas-free dielectric liquid cooling medium



s sheets-sheet 1 0R PRODUCINGAND MAIN'mNING A LIQUIDI -cooLrNG MEDIUM C.R. FOUTZ S F GAS-FREE DIELECTRIC METHOD. AND APPARATU Oct. 23, 1956Filed May 2U, `1952 53S. mw m5 QS N VENfTOR?,

c. R. Fou-rz 2,767,693 US FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING A C LIQUIDCOOLING MEDIUM` l 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 23, 1956 METHOD AND APPARAT vGAS-FREE DIELECTRI Filed Mayzo, 1952 R. m N w. w

Oct. 23, 195-6 c. R. Fou-rz` 2,767,693

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING C LIQUID COOLINGMEDIUM GAS-FREE DIELECTRI 8 Sheets-Sheet, 3

Filed Hay 20, 1952 d mw mw A @www Oct. 23, 1956 c. R. Fou-rz 2,767,693

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRoDucING AND MAINTAINING. A GAS-FREEDIELECTRIC LIQUID COOLING MEDIUM Filed may `zo, 1952 s sheets-sheet 4ms@ EFH. Q W 5,

@656m dg mlm:

Oct. 23, 1956 C. R. FOU-rz 2,767,693

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAAININGl A GAS-FREEDIELECTRIC LIQUID COOLING MEDIUM Filed May 20, 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 5mmm,

C. R. FOUTZ .PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GAS-FREEDIELECTRIC LIQUID COOLING MEDIUM Filed May 20, 1952 8 s hlevetsfsheet 6/XIIII|||||||| mmm.

\ Filed May 20, 1952 Oct. 23, 1956 c. R. l-'oUTz 2,767,593

METHOD AND APPARATUS FDR PRoDucrNG AND MAINTAINING A GAS-FREE DIELECTRICLIQUID COOLING MEDIUM 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 /V VENTOR.

Oct. 23), 19.56

C R. FOUTZ METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING A GAS-FREEDIELECTRIC LIQUID COOLING MEDIUM Filed May 20, 1952 8 Sheets-$11691'l 8NVENTOR.

United States Patent O METHOD AND APPARATUS FUR PRDUCING AND MAINTAININGA GAS-FREE DEF-LEC- TRIC LIQUID COOLING MEDIUM Clinton Root Foutz,Washington, D. C.

Application May 20, 1952, Serial No. 288,986

12 Claims. (Cl. 12S- 41.259

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for cooling Waterjackets of engines or the like, and more particularly to such methods ofand apparatus for providing and maintaining a gas-free dielectric liquidcooling medium.

The cooling methods and apparatus for engines and the like heretoforeknown and in use do not afford maximum eiciency and as a consequence,limited maximum Water jacket temperatures of 240 are necessary. Thistemperature limitation is necessary because of turbulent flow and gasemulsification in the system, the lack of deaeration of and theelectrolytic action of the coolant. These factors preclude eflicientheat transfer and create undesirable effects on the apparatus. With theadvent of nuclear powered apparatus, the known systems become completelyinadequate.

Having in mind the defects of the prior art methods and apparatus, it isthe primary object of the present invention to provide a method of andapparatus for properly cooling the Water jackets of engines, or thelike, at a much higher water jacket temperature.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method of andapparatus for producing and maintaining during use, a deaerated liquidcooling medium.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a method of andapparatus for producing and maintaining during use a deaerated liquidcooling medium that is free of noncondensable gases.

it is a further object of the invention to provide a method of andapparatus for producing' and maintaining during use a chemicallyneutral, dielectric liquid cooling medium.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a method of andapparatus for producing and maintaining a dielectric, gas-free liquidcooling medium.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a method of andapparatus for cooling Water jackets at higher temperatures and havingsimplicity of organization, economy, and efficiency in operation.

The foregoing objects and others ancillary thereto are accomplished, inaccordance with the present invention, by providing the method steps ofand apparatus means for circulating a coolant through a closed,substantially airtight system including a water jacket, which comprisesdispersing heat from the coolant as it leaves the jacket byvaporization, separating the liquid component and condensing the vaporcomponent, neutralizing the liquid component and adding the condensate(which is neutralized by distillation) thereto, separating gas particlesfrom the liquid to remove the soluble gases, deaerating the separatedliquid to remove the saturated gases, condensing the saturated gases torecover the vapor liquid and venting the gases while returning the dewliquid to the coolant, and returning the dielectric gas-free liquidcoolant to the water jacket. Heat, independent of the water jacket maybe supplied in the system for heating the coolant to heat the engine byreverse thermodynamic circulation.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as to its organization and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbest se understood from the following description of a specificembodiment when read in connection with the accompanying drawings,wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout theseveral gures and in which:

Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of an internal combustion engineprovided with a cooling system, diagrammatically shown, in accordancewith the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view corresponding to line 2 2of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view in elevation, partially in section, of aportion of the cooling system shown in Fig. 1 and including amodification;

Figure 4 is a side View in elevation, partially in section, of a boilerprovided with a modied system for producing a gas-free dielectriccoolant according to the invention; l l Figure 5 is a top plan View ofanother engine and modi! tied cooling system;

Figure 6 is a side view in elevation, partially in section, of theapparatus shown in Fig. 5;

Figure 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional View taken on avertical plane through the means for separating the vapor from theliquid of the coolant;

Figure 8 is a plan View of an anodic-cathodic couple employed in thesystem;

Figure 9 is a View in elevation, partially in section of theanodic-cathodic couple shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is an enlarged top plan View of a portion of the bottom wallof a vapor condenser with a special outlet fitting; j Figure 11 is across-sectional view corresponding to line 11-11 of Fig. 10;

Figure 12 is a View in elevation of a peripheral inlet centrifugal pump;

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional View line 13-13 of Fig. 12;

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view line 14-14 of Fig. 13;

Figure 15 is a side view in elevation the pump shown in Figs. 12-14;

Figure 16 is an enlarged top plan view, partially in cross-section, ofthe gas separating apparatus in the systern, and

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional View corresponding to line 17-17 of Fig.16.

Referring now to the drawings, specifically to Fig. l, an internalcombustion engine 1, which is illustrated as a conventional opposedpiston type diesel engine of the marine type and such as used on railcars, is provided with the usual water jacket manifold 2 having anoutlet 3 connected with a discharge pipe 4 for delivering the coolant toa heat exchange apparatus.

In accordance with the present invention, the pipe 4 is connectedthrough a petcock S to the inlet 7 of a vapor separating drum 6. The hotcoolant is separated in the drum 6 into its liquid and vapor componentsand the liquid is discharged through an outlet Ill to a pipe l2 and thevapor is discharged through an outlet 9 to a steam dome 8 to bedegasilied.

To effect the vapor-liquid separation in the drum 6, as best shown inFig. 7, a pipe 70 is connected with the drum inlet 7 so that it hasdirect communication with the engine discharge pipe 4. The pipe 70 issupported substantially horizontally within the drum 6 and is providedat its inner, free, end with a T-itting having its branches disposedvertically. The upper branch of the fitting 9@ is open corresponding tocorresponding to of the impeller of and, preferably, is somewhat largerthan the lower branch thereof to provide a relatively large outlet 97. Aplug 99 is threaded in the lower brauch of the tting 90 and a threadedrod 92 is mounted vertically within the branches and has its lower endthreaded in a socket 98 in the plug 99. 1

An inverted cone 91, having curved surfaces longitudinally, is mountedon the rod 92, slightly above the outlet 97 and is selectively xed bynuts 93= 93. A somewhat larger conical shell 95 is also selectivelyfixed on the rod 92 by nuts 94, 94' and is disposed in an uprightpostion with the lower portion of its skirt surrounding in spacedrelation, and extending below, the upper end of the inverted cone 91. Asmall tube 71 is inserted through the bottom of the tting 90 and extendsdownwardly so that its lower end 72 is disposed below the normal liquidlevel in the tank 6 and the upper end 73 of said tube is open to theinterior of the fitting 90. It will be noted at this time that the largeoutlet 97 of the fitting 90 is above the liquid level in the tank 6.

When the coolant flows into the fitting 90 through the pipe 70, aportion of the liquid component thereof discharges through the tube 71while the major portion is discharged upwardly through the outlet 97,striking the cones 91 and 95 and separating into liquid and vaporcomponents. The liquid collects inthe lower portion ot the tank 6 totiow through the outlet 11 `and the vapor collects in the upper part ofthe tank 6 and rises through the outlet9 to the steam dome 8. The outlet11 is located in the lower part of the tank 6 so as to be below theliquid level therein and the liquid discharges through the outlet 11both by gravity and vapor pressure within the tank 6.

The liquid emerging through the outlet 11 from the tank 6 flows down thepipe 12 which preferably extends substantially vertically and isconnected at its lower end to a treating unit 14 that comprises ahousing which is in the nature of a four-Way fitting. As best shown inFig. 3,` the inlet connection from the pipe 12 is at` the top of thetreating unit 14 and immediately thereunder is a heating chamber 13which contains an electric immersion heating element 13a of well knownstructure. An outlet valve 13b may be provided in the chamber 13 fordraining purposes. At one side of the unit 14 is aneutralizing chamber15,` containing an anodic-cathodic couple 15a (Figs. 3, 8 and 9) forchemically neutralizing the liquid and rendering it dielectric, and theoutlet 14 is at the other side of the unit 14. p

The anodic-cathodic couple 15a in the neutralizing chamber 15, as shownin Figs. 8 and 9, preferably is carried by a plug 300 ifor closing `thechamber 15 and enabling ready insertion or removal of the couple. Thecouple comprises an anode 301i formed by a round metal bar having athreaded socket 302 eccentrically disposed in one end for receiving abolt 302a. The anode 301 is secured by the bolt 302e to an anglebracket303 that is, in turn, secured to a cathode 304 by bolts 305. Thecathode 304 is formed of a square metal bar having a threaded stem 304:1which is inserted through a bore` 306 in the plug 300 and secured by anut 307, a second nut 308 being provided for connecting the couple foroperation. The eccentricmounting of the anode 301 enables accurateadjustment of the space or gap between the anode 301 and cathode 304 bysimple rotation of the anode.

The outlet 14 from the unit 14 is connected to a gas separator unit 16which feeds through a peripheral inlet 18 into` a centripetal tank 17.Any non-condensible gases are separated by the unit 16 and these gasesare removed from the liquid in the tank 17 so that only gas-free liquidis` discharged through the tank outlet 19 and the supply line 20 to thecirculating pump 21 driven by the engine 1. To provide `eliiciency inoperation, the gases removed in the tank 17 are treated to recover thecondensate and both this condensate and that from the initiallyseparated vapor are returned to the system through the gas separator 16so as to insure only gas-free liquid coolant being returned to theengine water jacket.

To recover the condensate from the vapor which is initially separated inthe separation tank 6, the vapor passes upwardly through the outlet 9 tothe steam dome 8, the latter being provided with a safety blow-off valve10 which is sealed against the admission of air into the system. Thedome 8 has an `outlet 101 controlled by a valve 102 and is connected bya pipe 103 to a T-connection 104. One branch 105 of the connection 104is controlled by a valve 140 and may be used for auxiliary purposes suchas in railway car and bus heaters (not shown), while the other branch107 is controlled by a valve 106 and connected to the inlet 103 of acondenser 110.

The condenser may be provided with a conventional cooling coil connectedwith pipes 109, 109 and it has a Special outlet fitting 111 and ll. Thefitting 111 is designed to maintain continuous outow of condensate andnoncondensable gases, if present, and thereby prevent either the gas orliquid being trapped or retained within the condenser. Although thefitting 111 is shown as being in an end wall in the diagrammatic layoutof Fig. l, it is preferably disposed vertically in the bottom Wall ofthe condenser 110, as illustrated in Fig. ll.

The fitting 111 comprises a tubular member having an inlet end 111i andan outlet end 1110. Preferably, a collar 111C is provided intermediatethe ends and the inlet end 111i is threaded into the bottom wall of thecondenser 110 to provide an airtight seal. rihe inlet end 1111preferably extends into the condenser 110 a distance equal to three tove times the diameter of the passage therethrough and a plurality ofradially extending, circumferentially and longitudinally spaced inletholes 1' are provided in the inlet end portion 111i, the innermost holei being substantially even with the inner Wall of the condenser 110. Avena-contracte throat T is provided in the passage through the fitting111 to produce a high velocity tlow of the liquid therethrough.

The discharge of the liquid condensate or distillate from the condenseroutlet 111 is controlled by a valve 112 and fed by a pipe 113, providedwith two non-return check valves 115, 115', to the inlet 116 of a pump118. lf de sired, a heat exchanger 11d may be interposed in the line 113for heating the engine oil or the like. The auxiliary branch 105 isconnectedthrough any auxiliary units, such as heaters, with a returnline 105 which is connected by connection 68 with the condensate returnline 113 and thereby maintains a closed circuit. The liquid condensateis fed by the pump 11S through a line 117 to an auxiliary inlet of thegas separator 16. The cooled condensate is mixed with the hightemperature liquid from the unit 14 and any noncondensable gases areseparated in thc unit 16 and removed in the tank 17.

The structure of the gas separator 16 will now be described, referencebeing made to Fig. 17. r[he gas separator 16 has an inlet 16i, which isconnected with the outlet of the unit 14, and comprises a dual-throatventuri and dual vena-contrasta axially aligned with said inlet. Theinlet 16iopens to an upstream cone U-l which tapers to a throat T-1 thatterminates in an outlet O-l and is surrounded by an annular chamber Awhich is in communication with the condensate inlet 120. The annularchamber terminates forwardly of the outlet G-l in an upstream cone U-2that terminates in a throat T-2 and emerges directly into a downstreamcone D-Z that terminates in an outletO-2, completing the dual-throatventuri.

The outlet O-2 is surrounded by an upstream cone U-3 which forms a lowpressure chamber behind the outlet 0 2 and may be provided with anopening 16g for connection with a pressure gauge or may be closed by aplug. The upstream cone U--3 merges into a throat T-3 that is providedwith a substantial length of uniform diameter. The throat T-3 terminatesin an outlet @-3 of the same diameter as the throat and which opens intoan enlarged downstream cone D-4 that terminates in an outlet O-4.

which is best shown in Figs. l0 f afferisce This outlet O-4 opens intoan enlarged'chamber C-6`that is provided with an upstream cone U-5 whichmerges into a throat T45 that terminates in the detrainer outlet 16owhich may be connected to the inlet 18 of the centripetal tank 17.

The non-condensable gases. are separated from the liquid by passagethrough the separator 16 and are injected peripherally into the tank 1'7so as to prevent turbulence and permit the gases to rise in the tankwhile the liquid settles and flows through the outlet 19. The separatedgases rise from the tank 17 and pass through the tank outlet 49 and upand upwardly extending pipe 40 to the inlet 48 in the bottom wall of anair trap lioat chamber 41 having an outlet 46 in its top wall. Theoutlet 46 is controlled by a needle valve 45 (Fig. 3) having a valveseat 43 cooperative with a valve member 44 which is actuated by a float42. The float chamber 41 is disposed below the level of the separationtank 6 so as to be subject to a static pressure head.

The column or pipe 4t) is normally iilled with liquid by the staticpressure head and there is liquid in the chamber 41 to lift the iloat 42and close the valve 45. As the gases arise into the chamber 41 theycollect in the top of the chamber until they create suicient pressure tolower the liquid level and the iloat 42 sol that the valve 45 is opened.This gas then escapes through the outlet 46 and this relieves thepressure within the tank 41 so that the liquid level rises and lifts theiioat 42 which closes the valve 45.

The outlet 46 of the float chamber 41 is connected by a pipe 47 with theinlet 51 of a dehumidication chamber 50. The inlet 51 is in the top ofthe chamber 50 and an outlet 52 is also in the top of the chamber. Theoutlet 52 is closed by a pressure relief valve 53 which is operable atlow pressures and is preferably adjustable. The chamber Stb preferablyhas ribs or tins 58 on both its inner and outer Walls to expedite heatexchange and condensation, and a condensate outlet 54 is provided in thebottom of the chamber.

The condensate outlet 54 is connected by a drip line 55 with the inlet61 of a dew trap 60 having an outlet 65 controlled by a valve 64 whichis actuated by a iloat 62 and linkage 63. The condensate from thedehumiditication tank 50 drips down the line 55 and collects in the trap6? until the level of the collected dew or condensate is high enough tolift the iioat 62 and open the valve 64. The outlet 65 is connected witha dew return line 66 having a check valve 66a therein. lThe dew returnline 66 may be connected with the condensate return line 113 by aT-connection 69, as shown in Fig. l, or it may be connected directlywith the condensate return pressure line 117 by three-way connections 67and 119, as shown in Figure 3.

The foregoing system is arranged as a closed circuit so as to precludeadmission of air or other gases. To supply make-up water or othercoolant liquid, a three-way con* nection 119 is provided in thecondensate return line 117 as shown in Fig. l, to provide a sealedbranch adapted for connection with a Water line or other coolant supply.Conversely, if the connection 119 is employed for returning condensatefrom the dew trap 60, as shown in Fig. 3, the free branch of theconnection 67 may be coupled with the coolant supply.

It will be noted that liquid from the treating unit 14 and thecondensate recovered both from the original vapor and subsequentlyseparated gas vapor are combined before passing through the separator 16and centripetal tank 17 so that any gas is denitely removed. Thegas-free liquid is then supplied from the central outlet 19 of thecentripetal tank 17, through the pipe 20 to the circulating pump 21which may be the regular engine circulating pump. The pump outlet Z2 isconnected by a supply pipe 23, provided with a gauge connector 24, todual connection 26 with the inlets 28 of two water jacketed exhaustmani- '6 folds 29, the jackets of which are connected with the waterjacket of the engine 1.

The drawings are more or less schematic and the various parts. are shownin various forms in diiferent tigures but these variations are notnecessarily intended as species of the invention. For example, the steamdome 8 is shown in Fig. l as a chamber separate from the tank 6 while inFig. 3 it is shown as a dome-like chamber formed on the top of the tank6. In addition to the variation of the make-up water inlet as previouslydescribed, a Circulating pump 2116 may be introduced between the outlet14 ot' the treating unit 14 and the inlet of the detrainer 16, as shownin Fig. 3, either as a substitute for or auxiliary to the engine pump21.

Describing now the operation of the foregoing apparatus, and startingwith the initial operation, water is admitted at the inlets inconnections 119 or 67 which are then plug-closed after the water hasreached the right level, shown by gauge 7' on tank 6 (Fig. 4). At thetime of filling, no water could enter the condenser or condensate line,this being prevented by the two nonreturn check-valves 115, 115 in thecondensate line 113 between the condenser and the make-up Water inlet.Water has now lled all components of the water-jacket circulation systemincluding the air trap 41. The vent valve 45 is now held closed by thefloat 42 which is lifted by the water filling the trap 41. The sensibleheat transfer circulating system is now ready for start ing the engine.

The engine is now started as is the Water-jacket circulating centrifugalpump 21 and/or pump 206, and the condensate pump 118. The pump 21 forcesthe cold water into, through and out of the water jacket outlet 3through pipe 4 and open valve 5 into the separating tank 6, the waterthen liowing from the tank 6 into coolant return pipe 12, treating unit14 and into the separator 16. The separated gas and liquid passes intothe centripetal tank 17 and, due to its ilow velocity, angulardellection and greater density, the water circumferentially descends inthe tank 17 and emerges at the bottom center of the cylindrical tankthrough outn let 19 and then through pipe 20 to the engine Water jacketcirculating pump 21.

The water has been degasied and the liquid and separated soluble gas isin a dispersed state when entering the centripetal tank 17 at the halfperipheral height inlet 18. The centripetal 'low of the uids in the tank17 causes the separated gas or air to move toward the top center outlet49 and the air bubbles then ascend through pipe 40 and inlet 48 into theair trap 41. Each time sufficient air collects in the trap 41, it Willdisplace the liquid, lowering the Water level and the ball-float 42which willopen the valve 45 and vent the air and gases through theoutlet 46, pipe 47 and inlet 51 into the dehumidifying tank 50.

The dehumidification tank 50 has at its top an outlet 52 controlled by apop-olf valve 53 adapted to seal againstvadmission of atmospheric air.The pop-off or blow-down valve 53 is set to open at the low absolutepressure of 18.3 pounds per square inch. With the water jacket outletpressure corresponding to about 280 F., the liquid pressure in the gastrap 41 will be about 55 pounds per square inch absolute, but regardlessof temperature the liquid pressure will always be higher therein thanthe deaerating valve 53 blow-olf pressure. The air collection trap 41must vent many times into tank 50 before the air-gas pressure is builtup to the pressure setting of the Valve 53. This gives time (when theengine is at operating jacket temperature) for the cooling of thesaturated gas, if and when present, and assures non-synchronous venting,that is, both the tanks 41 and 50 will not be able to ventsimultaneously. But simultaneous venting would only mean a smallquantity of liquid would be carried over with the air-gas from the tank41 into tank 50, and this liquid would be returned to the water jacketcirculating medium with the accumulated dew.

The tank 50 is perpendicularly splined or nned, both inside and outtoobtain the greatest surface area possible, thus decreasing the totalinterior cubage volume to a minimum. The bottom center outlet 54 isconnected directly and `in open communication by `pipe 55 through theinlet 61 with the dew trap 60. Whenever enoughof the dew-liquid iscollected to lift the balloat 62 `and its lever 63, the needle-valve 63will be withdrawn from its seat 64 and the dew liquid will iiow throughoutlet 65, pipe 66, and non-return check valve 66a to thecondensate-return line 117 and then enter the liquid circulating mediumthrough the inlet 120 to the gas separator 16 under the very lowabsolute pressure difference created therein by the liquid-flow. Whensuicient dew-liquid is withdrawn from the dew trap 60, the`outlet-needle valve is returned to its seat 64 by descent of the oat 62and the trap is again completely sealed against` liquid return.

During the first filling with cold water, the condenser is inoperativeas a cooling element and condensation to any appreciable quantity willbe small indeed but there will be some at pressures of l or 2 p. s. i.absolute. After the engine 1 has been running long enough to beoperating at the predetermined water-jacket outlet temperature, then thecirculation liquid, under pump pressure, enters the water-jacket inletmanifold 2 and leaves the water-jacket outlet 3, ows throughwater-outlet pipe 4 and valve 5 directly into the liquid-gas-separatingdrum 6, through pipe 70 and into the liquid-vapor separating element 90.The liquid is at 55 pounds per square inch pressure and has atemperature .of 280 in the pipes 4 and 70. Upon entering the separatingelement 90, the circulating water is forced perpendicularly upwardagainst the inverted, curved surface of conc 91, which has at itsinverted-base a circumference great enough to break the liquid water rodinto a spray which is forcefully brought into contact at C with theinner surface of the cover-cone 95, all around the circumferencethereof. The impact-shock resulting from the velocity-head-force ashes aportion of the liquid into vapor which ascends through the ports 96While tbe liquid spray water water collected in the `tank 6 for returnto the engine water circulating pump.

The effect of the Hash-shock evaporation is to reduce the temperature ofthe liquid by the amount corresponding to the equivalent of the weightvaporized at the pressure of the vapor then existing above the liquidsurface in the drum 6 and the steam dome 8. The vapor pressure exchangeabove the liquid surface will be that created by the condensate pump 118unless the vapor ow into the condenser is throttled by the valve 102 inthe steam pipe line between the steam dome 8 and the condenser 110.

The condensate in the condenser 110 is passed out through the specialoutlet fitting 111, best shown in Figs. l and ll, this fitting beingplaced in the lowest part of the condenser 110 so that the liquidcondensate flows to and is collected at this fitting for return to thecondensate pump 118. In the bottom section of the condenser housing is adepression into which the condensate flows and will have ay high and lowliquid water level dependent `upon the engine power. Thecondensate-outlet fitting 111 is` entered into the condenser housing `insuch manner that its up-stream end 111i containing a number ofcircumferential drilled, spirally arranged and equally spaced holes i,willpermit the liquid, regardless of quantity and its accumulatedheight, to iiow into the up-stream end of the venacontracta `throat Tand then, as soon as the condensate pump is` started, the condensateliquid flows at high velocity through the throat T as the pressure at itwill be less than that created by the condensate return pump.

drops down into the circulatingk The high velocity flow through thethroat T will cause any air, if present, to enter the throat T with theliquid and be withdrawn faster, clearing the condenser for quicker, moreeffective action. Moreover, by using the liquid ow to create a lowerpressure at the throat T than that produced by the condensate pump, andproviding the required size and number of holes i into the upstreamcone, neither the liquid nor the air can be trapped, as would be thecase if both the liquid and air had to enter a single inlet, because ifthis single inlet was even with the condenser bottom wall it would becovered by the condensate, all of which would have to be removed beforethe trapped-air could be removed. If an ordinary pipe were projected uponly a small dis tance, the air, whenever present, would float on top ofthe water covering the single opening.

From the condenser outlet 111, the condensate may be piped direct to thevacuum pump 118, or as shown in Fig. l, it may pass to an oil-water heatexchanger 114 wherein the engine oil is brought to the approximatecondensate temperature which in arctic ambient air would heat the oilbut in Arabia, at desert air temperature, would cool the oil. The oilheat-exchanger is not essential to the engine circulating systemoperation. Either with or without the exchanger 114, the conden sateenters the gear-pump inlet 116 and is discharged into pipe 117 andreturned to the coolant directly into the gas separator 16, thereinbecomingl a cold-stream addition to the high temperature circulatingcoolant and be subjected to the gas separating process the same as thecoolant so that all air and gas is removed from the liquid before it canenter the engine water-jacket. The cooling water is now gas-free and thesensible-heattransfer circuit and condensing heat-dissipation circuit isgas--free by the complete deaeration.

With the circulating water now at high temperature, the vapor-ow intothe condenser is throttled to increase the vapor pressure above theliquid surface in drum 6 tot55 p. s. i. absolute, the liquid is forcedfrom the outlet 11 of the drum 6, through pipe 12 to the treating unit14. ln entering the unit 14, the water ows over the anodic-cathodiccouple element 15a, entering the chamber 15 horizontally, and the `Wateris always in contact with this couple 15a to be rendered dielectric.

The water,.before treatment in the unit 14, contains, together with Oz,dissolved carbon dioxide, CO2, which forms with the water carbonic acid,HzCOa, and this makes the water an acid electrolyte. Conversely, thewater may contain calcium bicarbonate, Ca++-|-2HCO3,

and this is also acidic. The couple in the chamber 15 i neutralizes thewater and thereby makes it dielectric. It is not necessary to neutralizethe condensate because it is very pure-water and is dielectric becauseit is neutral, being neither acidic or alkaline as it contains no freehydrogen ions, H+ nor free hydroxyl ions OH.

The rods 301 and 304 of the anodic-cathodic couple are completelysurrounded by the circulating water in the chamber 15,` all the way tothe cap 300 to which the cathode is bolted. As shown in Figure 9, whenthe anode and cathode are completely dry, the electric current createdat the joining'contact of the two different metals is too weak to jumpthe distance of the gap at their opposite ends. This is also true whenWet with chemically pure distilled water as the electromotive force (E.M. F.) is insufficient to jump the gap. However, when in water which iseither acid or alkaline, the water is an electrolyte and galvanic actionassists the electric-current flow across the gap-opening between thewetted metal-rod elem-ents. This current flow will increase with theincrease of temperature and continue as long as the circulating waterremains elcctrolytic, that is until its pH=7. The connection 30451 isprovided for current ow instrument testing and determination of thecorrect gap-opening between the anode and cathode. It should be notedthat before the air is detrained from the water, the current ow is fromanode to cathode, but after the Water is gas-free the electric currentis reversed and is from cathode to anode.

To promote the decomposition of an acid or alkaline aqueous solution toa neutral pH, it is only necessary that the voltage of the electrodes beapproximately 1.7, the approximate decomposition voltage for aqueoussolutions of acids and bases as determined by M. Le Blanc (pages 1014and 1015, Textbook of Physical Chemistry, 2nd ed., Samuel Glasstone, D.Van Nostrand & (2o.), The decomposition voltage simply represents thesum of the potentials that must be obtained by the two electrodes beforethe rates of the respective ion discharge processes are appreciablygreater than the reverse reaction. Thus, knowing the standard reductionpotentials of the common metals, the particular metals for the anode andcathode may be easily selected. Therefore, aluminum (-1.276) and mercury(.336) and all metals below aluminum and above mercury in the E. M. F.series, may be used in the anodic-cathodic couple. The E. M. F. valuesnoted herein are those set forth in page 556 of The Handbook ofChemistry and Physics, sixteenth edition, Hodgman |and Lange, 1931.

The neutralized dielectric coolant from the treating unit 14, enters thegas separator 16 through its inlet 161' and ilows into the upstream coneU-1 and emerges at high velocity from the throat T-l through orice 1into throat "iF-2, and from the outlet O-2 into the lowpressure chamberand upstream cone U-3 and the elongated throat i'3, from outlet 0 3 intothe expanded downstream cone D-e which opens through outlet O-4 into avery large expansion chamber C-6, part of which forms another upstreamcone U-' which forms a throat T5 terminating in the outlet 160, fromwhich the Water enters the centripetal gas-liquid separating tank 17.The water entering throat T-1 reduces the absolute pressure in theannulus A, connected to the condensate line inlet 120, and this pressureis further reduced by passage through the throat T-2 and again bypassage through the throat T-3, at which a very low absolute pressure(or vacuum) exists. At each low pressure place the soluble gas volume(absorbed by the water originally at 14.696 p. s. i.) expands and leavesthe liquid due to the diterence in density.

At the outlet O-2 the velocity of the water is so high it enters throatT-3, passes into chamber C-6, and through the throat T5, as a liquidstream of expanded diameter. The expanded gas starts emergence from theliquid in transition between throats T-1 and T-2 and emerges from theliquid entirely in the larger space of upstream cone U-3 which has atits throat T-3 the lowest pressure and greatest pressure differencebetween water-inlet pressure at 161' and the outlet 0 3. The separatedgas cannot remain in the low pressure space U-3 because of itsdirectional tlow velocity force and the lower pressure existing in thethroat T-3. Therefore, the gas and liquid flow as separate iluidsthrough the throat '123, the liquid waterrod being surrounding by thegas as a gas annulus having a definite thickness. On entering the risingpressure sections between outlet O-t and the outlet 160, the time factorfor reabsorption of the gas by the liquid is too short, at constanttemperature. Furthermore, with increasing coolant temperature, the gasseparation is very complete on the iirst circuit through the separator16, and even at coolant temperatures of 244 F. no gas will remain in theliquid.

The heating-element 13a, in the chamber 13 of the unit 14, is acommercial electric-rod type water-ball immersion heating element. Whenthis heating element is energized and becomes hot, the Water in which itis immersed becomes heated with decreased density compared with thecolder water in the system when the engine is not running. The heatedwater ascends the pipe 12 ntothe tank 6 in which the water level isalways maintained, when cold, above the top of the water pipe 4 so thatit will always be full when the engine is not running. The heated Waterentering tank 6 heats the water in tank 6, thereby thermally reducingitsdensity so that from the centerline of pump inlet pipe 20 to the waterlevel in tank 6, the circulating pressure per square inch will be as thedifference in the water density on the cold side from the Water-level intank 6 to pump inlet center. This difference of pressure will besufficient, as the cold liquid descends through pipe 4, through engine 1to pump 21 and into pipe 2t) to cause the less dense water in tank 6 toiow upwardly into pipe 71 and through pipes 70 and 4 into the engineoutlet 3 through the water jacket manifold 2, through the water pump 21and pipe 20, through tank 17, and separator 16 to the unit 14 where itis in contact with the heating element.

The system may also be employed for producing a gas-free dielectriccoolant and maintaining it neutral in storage for use in other dieselengines or the like as makeup-Water. Such a system is shown in- Fig. 4,wherein an exhaust heat recovery boiler 1a is used in place of engine 1,Fig. 1, as the power plant, the boiler 1a having an upper water tank 2uconnected with the liquid outlet line 4 and a lower tank 2l connectedwith the liquid return line 20. Other parts are equivalent to the systemshown in Figs. l and 3 except as hereinafter mentioned. For purposes ofillustration, the tank 6 is shown as provided with water-gauge glass 7and automatic Water level element 7". The steam discharge pipe 103 isshown connected directly between the steam dome Sand condenser 1113. Thecondensate from the condenser is run by pipe 113 to a condensate holdingtank 200 which has a bottom outlet 2411 controlled by a ow regulatingstop cock 202 and connected with a condensate return pipe 263. The tank200 has a top outlet 209 connected by pipe 210 to a large liquid storagetank 222. The storage tank 222 has a top outlet 212 connected with apipe 214 containing a nonreturn valve 213 and connected with thecondensate return pipe 203, which has a non-return valve 205 and isconnected directly with the condensate return pipe 117.

The water pipe 12, from the tank 6, is connected directly with the pump206 which in turn, is connected with the separator 16. The neutralizingchamber 15', containing the anodic-cathodic galvanic couple 15a, isinterposed in the liquid return line 20, and an immersion heatingelement 13a is disposed in the gas-free dielectric storage tank 222.Thus, the circulation is thermally reversed, the purpose of which is tokeep the gas-free neutral water from freezing, without use of antifreezematerial, and also for pre-heating the coolant to enable quick warm-upand instant starting.

The tank 222 has a bottom outlet 215 controlled by a valve 216 andconnected to a gear-pump 218, driven by an electric motor 219, the pump218 having an outlet 221 which may be connected to the make-up inlets 68or 119 of any other engine for lling or adding make-up water. Thecoolant pipe 109 of the condenser 110 may be connected with a pump 230,driven by a motor 236, and having an inlet 231 connected with a sourceof raw water. Make-up water may be supplied to the system at variouslocations, and may be permanently connected to an external source 81 bya pipe 82 and valve 83. The pipe 82 may be connected by a valve 88 withthe connection 67 and also by a branch pipe 84 with the control device 7on the separating tank 6.

The pump 206 may be an ordinary centrifugal pump, as indicated in Fig.4, but preferably this pump is a special pump such as shown in Figs.l215. The principal difference in this pump resides in the location ofthe inlet 206i being disposed peripherally of the housing and the rotorblades 206b move the liquid to the outlet 2060 at high entering velocitywithout impeller blade impact shock, centrifugal-emulsiiication orcavitation, any one of which would cause flashing either by kineticenergy absorption of pressure drop in the casing. In this pump,

11 when the impeller blades are rotatin'g`at a peripherial speed of 6.25(Vi) feet per second `the liquid inlet velocity at the tip of each bladewill be moving forward exactly at the same velocity as the enteringliquid, so that in the vertical plane of forward rotational movementthevelocity of the blade tips will be Vb=Vi.

The entering anglefof the impeller blades to the entering liquid is:a=35. If the peripherial speed per second of the tip of the blade atmoment of contact with the liquid is Val, then the linear velocity ofthe blade will be at any other place, qa, this it is seen there is nokinetic energy loss from the impeller blade because the liquid enterswithout angular change in how direction or velocity and thereforewithout impact shock. Mechanically` induced velocity head pressure dropdiierence does not occur with consequent temperature drop in the liquidcausing vaporization. The result obtained is the exact reverse andtherefore the entering liquid may now be gradually accelerated quicklyto the desired higher velocity `and under an increasing pressure to thatdesired for the water-jacket inlet circulation at any desired inletpressure.

The invention is also applicable to automotive types of internalcombustion engines, as shown in Figs. and 6, and again only thedistinctions and variations in the system will be described. Forpurposes of illustration, the engine 1b is shown connected with anexhaust gas heater 600, such an arrangement being fully disclosed in myU. S. Patent No. 1,937,514. In this system, water may be added by a llercup 620 in the separating tank 6. A connection 613 is interposed in thepipe 12 between the tank 6 and the treating unit 14 and a pipe 601 isconnected between the connection613 and the heater 600 while a branchpipe 602 extends from the pipe 601 to the engine water-jacket 2b.` Thereturn pipe 606 from the heater 600 is connected to the circulatingsystem between the unit 14 and the separator 16.

The separating tank 6 has a second water outlet 507 which is connectedby a pipe 506 with the inlet 505 of an oil heat exchanger 500, which hasa water outlet 501 connected by pipe 502 with an inlet 503 in the sideof the treating unit 14. The engine 1b has a lubricating oil tank 535and a pipe 533, having a check valve 534, connects the outlet 536 ofthis tank with the inlet 530 of the exchanger 500, and a pipe 522connects the exchanger outlet 520 with the inlet 523 of the tank 535.The` auxiliary steam pipe 105 has a return pipe 105 which is connectedwith the condensate return line 113 and the der.l from the tank 50 isreturned by the pipe 55 to the return pipe 105. Finally, a pump 206 ofthe type shown in Figs. 12-15 is coupled between the coolant supply lineand the engine water-jacket, this pump preferably being driven from theengine by a drive shaft 623.

in operation, the circulating system is lled with surface water at thefiller cup 620 so the tank 6 is half to threequarters full, and the cupclosed and made air-tight. The engine is now started from cold and theengine circuiating pump 206 forces water into the engine waterjacket.This water, after eiecting sensible heat transfer from the combustionspace wetted walls, emerges at higher temperature from the engine outletmanifold and flows to the drum 6, the aqueous vapor ascending and thewater descending from tank 6,` and returns through the system to thecirculating pump. The water at 280 F., or higher, flows into the pumpwithout impact shock and out at the circumferential blade mean velocity.Onthe main circuit through the separator 16 the water is freed of airand gas.

As the water flows through separator 16, there is a pressure drop somuch lower at the condensate inlet 120 that the air flows from thehigher pressure in the condenser to the lower pressure in the separator16. Both the contained and water freed air-gaspass into the waterlevelactuated trap 41. With cock 140, normally completelyclosed, the aqueouspressure ow into the condenser must be regulated by partly closing thecock `102 until the desired steam pressure is attained in tank 6.

The circulating water tlows into the oil heat exchanger for the purposeof heating the oil in cold regions as the arctic at 65 F. when used inmilitary equipment. The exchanger water returns to the main circulatingcircuit in the unit 14. The oil` is forced through the exchange by theengine oil pump or auxiliary pump if required.` At 280 F. thewater-jacket heatloss at full power is reduced from 32% total heat offuel to only 20%.

The heat content of the steam divided into the vehicle interior heaters,by opening cock in the steam heater inlet line 105 and closing steamcock 102 to the condenser, may be insufcient, part of the water is runfrom the tank 6 by pipe 601 to the exhaust gas heat recovery exchanger600 which is manually cut into or out of operation by a valve 610, andthis heated water is returned to the `circulating water from tank 6 bythe pipe 606.

Standing idle, the engine liquid circulating circuit may be kept abovethe freezing point of water by energizing the immersion heater 13a. Thethermo-syphon reverse liquid flow takes place from contact with theimmersion heater, as previously described.

Although certain specific embodiments of the invention has been shownand described, it is obvious that many modifications thereof arepossible. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except in sofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of theappended claims.

I claim:

l. The method of cooling water jackets of engines and the like,comprising providing a cooling system permanently closed against theadmission of air, circulating a `liquid cooling medium through saidsystem, deaerating said cooling medium, and neutralizing said coolingmedium, whereby to provide a gas-free dielectric cooling medium.

2. The method of mechanically degasifying a liquid coolant for enginesor the like which comprises separating by pressure differential thesoluble gas particles from the liquid coolant and directing thedetrained gas and liquid under pressure to a column to permit the gasparticles to collect at the top of the column, evacuating the collectedgas from the top of the column under the control of the liquid level ofthe column, and supplying gas-free liquid from the bottom portion ofsaid column to the water jacket of an engine or the 1ike.

3. The method of cooling water jackets of engines or the like, whichcomprises providing a cooling system in circuit with the water jacketand permanently closed against the admission of air, circulating aliquid cooling medium through said system, maintaining the liquid mediumunder pressure, separating by pressure differential the soluble gas fromthe liquid medium, and evacuating the separated gas from the liquidwithout materially lowering the pressure of said liquid medium.

4. A cooling system for engines or the like, comprising a closedcirculating system through the water jacket of the engine, means formaintaining pressure in said system, means in said system for separatingby pressure differential the soluble gas from the lliquid coolant, meansfor collecting said gas, and means for evacuating gas from saidcollecting means without material change of pressure.

5. A cooling system as defined in claim 4 wherein said means forcollecting said gas comprises a centripetal tank and said means forevacuating said gas comprises a oat actuated valve.

6. A cooling system as delined in claim 5 wherein said evacuating meanscomprises a separate tank for receiving gas from said valve, a pressureactuated valve in the top of said separate tank for exhausting gas toatmosphere, and a connection between the bottom of said separate tankfor returning any liquid to said system.

7. A cooling system as detined in claim 4 comprising means forneutralizing the liquid coolant.

8. A cooling system for engines or the like comprising a closedcirculating system through the water jacket of the engine, said systemincluding a reservoir for connection with the outlet of the water jacketto receive cooling fluid from the jacket and permit separation of theliquid and vapor constituents of the cooling fluid, a condenser incommunication with said reservoir to receive vapor therefrom, a gasseparator in communication with the lower portion of the reservoir toreceive liquid therefrom and also in communication with said condenserto receive condensate therefrom, a separation tank in communication withsaid gas separator to receive liquid and gas particles from said gasseparator and to permit raising of the gas particles and settling of theliquid, a chamber at the top of said separation tank to receive therising gas particles, a float valve controlled outlet in the top of saidchamber and arranged to open upon lowering of the liquid level due togas accumulate in said chamber to exhaust the collected gas particles,and a pump in said system to supply the deaerated liquid from the bottomof said separation tank to the engine water jacket in requiredquantities.

9. A cooling system as set forth in claim 8 wherein the communicationbetween said reservoir and gas separator comprises a down-pipe from saidreservoir and an elbow at the bottom of said down-pipe and connected tosaid gas separator, and heating means connected under said elbow forinitially heating the coolant by reverse convection.

l0. A cooling system for engines or the like comprising a closedcirculating system through the water jacket of the engine, said systemincluding a reservoir for connection with the outlet of the water jacketto receive cooling uid from the jacket and pennit separation of theliquid and vapor constituents of the cooling fluid, a vapor chamberabove and in communication with the top of said reservoir, an excesspressure safety valve in said vapor chamber, a condenser incommunication with said vapor chamber, a gas separator in communicationwith the lower portion of the reservoir to receive liquid therefrom andalso in communication with said condenser to receive condensatetherefrom, a separation tank in communication with said gas separator toreceive liquid and gas particles from said gas separator and to permitraising of the gas particles and settling of the liquid, a loat chamberabove said separation tank to receive the gas particles risingtherefrom, said float chamber being below said reservoir to have astatic head of liquid therein, a float valve controlled outlet in thetop of said iloat chamber and arranged to open upon lowering of theliquid level due to gas accumulated in said float chamber to exhaust thecollected gas particles, a dehumidication tank in communication withsaid float valve controlled outlet to receive the gas particlesexhausted from said float chamber and collect condensate from saidparticles, a pressure responsive deaerating valve in the upper portionof said dehumidiiicaton tank to remove the gas to atmosphere atpressures lower than that maintained in the coolant liquid system bysaid vapor chamber safety valve, a condensate return line incommunication between the bottom of said dehumidication tank and saidgas separator, an outlet in the bottom of said separation tank forconnection with the inlet of the water jacket of the engine, and a pumpin said system to supply the deaerated liquid to the engine water jacketin required quantities.

ll. A cooling system for engines or the like comprising a closedcirculating system through the water jacket of the engine, said systemincluding a reservoir for connection with the outlet of the water jacketto receive cooling fluid from the jacket and permit separation of theliquid and vapor constituents of the cooling fluid, a vapor chamberabove and in communication with the top of said reservoir, an excesspressure safety valve in said vapor chamber, a condenser incommunication with said vapor chamber, a gas separator in communicationwith the lower portion of the reservoir to receive liquid therefrom andalso in communication with said condenser to receive condensatetherefrom, a separation tank in communication with said gas separator toreceive liquid and gas particles from said gas separator and to permitraising of the gas particles and settling of the liquid, a float chamberabove said separation tank to receive the gas particles risingtherefrom, said iloat chamber being below said reservo-ir to have astatic head of liquid therein, a float valve controlled outlet in thetop of said oat chamber and arranged to open upon lowering of the liquidlevel due to gas accumulated in said oat chamber to exhaust thecollected gas particles, a dehumidication tank in communication withsaid float valve controlled outlet to receive the gas particlesexhausted from said float chamber and collect condensate from saidparticles, a pressure responsive deaerating valve in the upper portionof said dehumidication tank to remove the gas to atmosphere at pressureslower than that maintained in the coolant liquid system by said vaporchamber safety valve, a liquid return trap in communication with thebottom of said dehumidication tank to collect condensate therefrom, afloat valve controlled outlet in said trap and in communication withsaid gas separator, an outlet in the bottom of said separation tank forconnection with the inlet of the water jacket of the engine, ananodic-cathodic couple in said System to neutralize the coolant liquid,and a pump in said system to supply the deaerated neutral liquid to theengine water jacket in required quantities.

12. A cooling system for engines or the like comprising a closedcirculating system through the water jacket of the engine, said systemincluding a reservoir for connection with the outlet of the water jacketto receive cooling fluid from the jacket and permit separation of theliquid and vapor constituents of the cooling fluid, a vapor chamberabove and in communication with the top of said reservoir, an excesspressure safety valve in said vapor chamber, a condenser incommunication with said vapor chamber, a liquid supply line extendingdownwardly from the bottom of said reservoir, a T-connection at thebottom of said line with the stem of said connection at right angles tosaid line, a vena-contracta gas separator in communication with the stemof said connection to receive liquid from said reservoir and also incommunication with said condenser to receive condensate therefrom, acentripetal separation tank in communication with said gas separator toreceive liquid and gas particles from said gas separator and to permitraising of the gas particles and settling of the liquid, a ilo-atchamber above said separation tank to receive the gas particles risingtherefrom, said float chamber being below said reservoir to have astatic head of liquid therein, a float valve controlled outlet in thetop of said float chamber and arranged to open upon lowering of theliquid level due to gas accumulated in said oat chamber to exhaust thecollected gas particles, a dehumidiiication tank in communication withsaid float valve controlled outlet to receive lthe gas particlesexhausted from said iloat chamber and collect condensate from saidparticles, a pressure responsive deaerating valve in the upper portionof said dehumidiication tank to remove the gas to atmosphere atpressures lower than that maintained in the coolant liquid system bysaid vapor chamber safety valve, a liquid return trap in communicationwith the bottom of said dehumidiiication tank to collect condensatetherefrom, a oat valve controlled outlet in said trap and incommunication with said gas separator, an outlet in the bottom of saidseparation tank for connection with the inlet of the water jacket of theengine, an anodiccathodic couple in said system to neutralize thecoolant liquid, ya pump in said system to supply the deaeratedReferences Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,311,529 Muir July 29, 1919 6 Y FOREIGN PATENTS France Aug. 6, 1937Great Britain Feb. 16, 1939

